r/theydidthemath • u/Fizzerolli • 3d ago

[request] Assuming fresh powdery snow, how deep would it have to be for the paratrooper to survive, if possible?

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My son sent me this. My immediate thought based on nothing is that it’s unsurvivable regardless of the depth.

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u/duru93 3d ago

Idk how to do the math, but context for those who do most US airborne operations drop at 1,000 feet, but depending on clouds that can be higher or lower.

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u/ConcaveNips 3d ago

I don't know what airborne operations you were dropping on, but damn near all of mine were 600 feet. A couple at 800. The ones in airborne school were all at the max height, 1500 ft, but that's it. Minimum height nearly every jump.

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u/duru93 3d ago

I mean technically speaking they're supposed to be 1,000 but yeah I definitely did a good chunk below that.